02

"I AM SO sorry."

Chase Rhodes has been apologizing to me for the past three minutes. In those three minutes I've promptly gotten yellow goo all over my jacket, and my face has all but exploded into tiny needles of pain.

I really want to punch Chase Rhodes. Not because he accidentally threw a ball at my face, but because I hate the word "sorry" and he's been repeatedly saying my least favorite word since Coach Henderson carried me to the nurse's office.

I huff out a breath, then cringe when a sharp pain hits me like a truck. "It's fine." I say shortly. Hoping he will leave me alone.

No such luck. "I really didn't mean to," he continues, scratching the back of his light hair. Now I want to kick him too.

I don't know if he has this need to continuously annoy me, or if he's just genuinely worried, but neither of those things work in my favor.

I hesitantly sit my self up on the gurney, feeling Chase's eyes on me the entire time as I stand and step in front of the window.

"Jesus," I whisper harshly. It's like an elephant went and sat on my face. Chase cringes behind me in the reflection and before he can get a word out I turn around and punch him in the face.

It shuts him up.

That was really effective and I wish I did it earlier. But I also don't because now my hand feels like it was sat on by an elephant. Chase Rhodes' cheek bones are brutal.

He clutches a hand to his face much like I did a couple of minutes ago to mine, and slowly looks back at me.

"Did—Did you just punch me?" He asks, looking mildly horrified. I narrow my eyes at him and swiftly walk around him.

"Yes, that was called a punch—very good job," I pretend to applaud him and he just stands there, jaw looking slack. As if he can't fathom what I've just done.

I guess if I were him I wouldn't be able to either.

He frowns at me, then to my horror says, "I promise—I swear—I didn't mean to—" but he doesn't finish because I cut him off with a kick to his shin.

This one was lighter so he doesn't look as shocked, but the confused expression on his face is still priceless.

"I forgive you." I grind out, mentally begging him to go away, but of course, Chase Rhodes stays put.

He raises a brow at me, "It sure doesn't feel like it."

I laugh lightly and slightly deliriously. "Don't worry, I always punch people out of forgiveness."

He gives me an odd look and I know I must seem like a psychopath but I suddenly don't care. My mind is nice and warm. Like a blanket. A brain and cell blanket.

What is wrong with me?

"Right..." he trails off, eyes darting around, probably trying to escape before I assault him again.

Oh my god. I assaulted Chase Rhodes. What is wrong with me?

"Look," he says, drawing my attention to him. "I think the medicine is starting to kick in—which explains why you felt the need to punch me. And kick me."

I shake my head quickly, "I punched you because you wouldn't shut up, idiot—wait no! I've revealed my secret!" I holler, throwing my arms up in the air. "I'm gonna kill you."

I can tell he's fighting off a smile by the way he bites the inside of his cheek. Does he think murder is funny? And he was look at me like I was the crazy one.

"I'm going to call in the nurse—you don't move," he instructs, moving very slowly to the door. I roll my eyes.

"Where would I go exactly?" I gesture to the small room but he ignores me and steps out for a moment.

My mind briefly wanders back to Chase Rhodes. He looked pretty concerned for me—and I don't know if I should be flattered, or scared. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

My brows dip down in thought, this day was extremely weird. Which is saying something considering I have weird days every day. But this one was the weirdest of the weird.

The door suddenly opens and the nurse (who I was too shell-shocked to get the name of) walks in with a kind smile. I kind of want to punch her too.

I should look into anger management programs.

She turns to Chase briefly and they whisper something to each other. I instantly want to know what they're gossiping about because if there's anything I hate more than the word "sorry", it's secrets.

"So it is the medicine?" Chase voices, and I catch onto the topic of their gossip session: me. Should I be offended? I'm oddly flattered. I didn't think I was important enough to be gossiped about.

"Yes," the nurse says, pressing a hand to my forehead. I really want to chop her hand off now because she's hurting my face. Like really, really badly. "She'll be good in an hour or two. Once the medicine is out of her system she'll likely pass out."

My eyes widen. I change my mind, I do not like being gossiped about.

"Pass out?" I say with a scoff. My heart beat speeds at the thought of that.

The nurse throws her head back and laughs.

Have I mentioned I want to punch her too? Medicine is turning me into quite the sadist.

"Not that kind of pass out, honey, I just meant you'll fall asleep."

My shoulders sag and relief floods through me. I've never been happier to hear those words.

"Now, do you have anyone that can pick you up, Lila?" She questions, and I immediately shake my head.

Mom is still at work and Dad won't be home till way later. "I usually walk," I tell her. And she bites her lip.

"I can take her," Chase speaks up for the first time. I really thought he'd leave by now. Guess he really can't take a hint.

I instantly shake my head—no way is Chase Rhodes taking me home. I'd rather die than sit in a car with him.

The nurse beams at him, and turns to me. "Let me check her out one last time and then she's all yours!"

"Hello?" I shout, pointing down at myself. "I find it very unethical you both are speaking for me. I agreed to no such thing." I fold my arms over my chest and huff out a breath.

"Honey," the nurse begins. "If you walk home there is a very high chance you will pass out and die."

"I'll take my chances."

She shakes her head, "I cant allow that on my conscience, Lila."

I roll my eyes, does she have to be so kind? It's irking me.

"I'll wait outside," Chase offers, and I stick my tongue out at him as he vanishes through the door.

The nurse (who I finally figured out is named Miranda) puts a new bandage on my nose, and gives me more supplies to use once I get home. She waves to me as I begrudgingly step into the hall and scowl at Chase.

"All done?" He says, trying to take the supplies from my hands, but I snatch it from his grip and walk past him.

We walk in silence all the way until we get to the parking lot and Chase begins to hum. I briefly contemplate if another punch would damage my hand more than his jaw.

He stops next to a small sport's car and pops open the door for me.

I'm hit with the scent of leather—that new leather. The one you find in those really expensive cars.

And that leaves me to one deduction, Chase Rhodes is totally loaded.

Either that or he takes real good care of his car.

I don't voice my theory aloud as he slides into his seat and puts the car into drive. He blows out a breath and glances at me quickly.

I pretend not to see that, and keep my gaze latched onto the window.

"Are you going to tell me where you live, or am I going to have to guess?" He queries, drumming his fingers against his steering wheel, as we descend onto the main road.

I don't answer, I kind of want to know what he guesses. yes

"Alright then," he mutters. "I'm going with that run-down house on Barkley Street."

"The one with bats?" I gasp, almost offended. Do I look like I live with bats? Would that make me Batgirl?

Chase throws his head back and laughs, showing of his perfectly white teeth. He has a nice laugh. I hate that he has a nice laugh.

"I was kidding," he says pointedly, and I burrow further into the leather seat.

"Make a right," I murmur, and he complies.

I continue giving him instructions all the way until we've reached my familiar purple picket fence and he stops the car with a curious look on his face.

Almost anyone new who sees my house has that same look. It all started because my mom didn't want to look like one of those suburban families with the white picket fences, so she and Dad painted it all purple.

Our next door neighbor, Ms. Hollendale, was thoroughly shocked to say the least.

I clear my throat quickly and take my seatbelt off. It's suddenly way too awkward in here for my taste. "Thanks for the...ride."

Chase nods and hands me supplies, offering a small grin as I step out of the car.

Maybe it's the drugs, but I give him a small smile right back.